William warns ‘clock is ticking’ on environment

William warns ‘clock is ticking’ on environment

The Duke of Cambridge has warned the clock is ticking towards a tipping point when our impact on the environment will be irreversible.

Speaking at the Tusk Conservation Awards at Banqueting House in London, William said “nature matters to us all” and we have an obligation to reduce the extent to which we “plunder” the planet’s resources.

He highlighted the recent Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change, warning that it was the “loudest warning bell yet” from the scientific community that we must act now.

The duke added: “The clock is ticking towards a tipping point when the impact of what we are doing will become dangerously irreversible.

“We have a responsibility and obligation to the next generation to drastically reduce the extent to which we plunder the world’s natural resources.”

The duke presented the winners of the Tusk award for conservation, the Tusk wildlife ranger award and the Prince William award for conservation in Africa with their awards.

He praised the winners and nominees for their hard work and dedication.

William added: “As ever, I am inspired and humbled by the sheer dedication and commitment that our 2018 nominees have demonstrated.

“It never ceases to amaze me how they achieve so much against the odds and with so few resources.”

The charity was set up in 1990 by its current chief executive Charles Mayhew MBE to protect African wildlife against threats including poaching, habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.

The duke became a patron of Tusk in 2005 and has supported the charity’s work privately and publicly, including visiting its projects in Namibia and Tanzania on his recent tour of Africa.

Mr Mayhew praised William for his “unwavering commitment” to conservation and said his role was “invaluable”.

Dr Pete Morkel, who was awarded the Prince William award for conservation, joined the other finalists to meet the duke and duchess before the awards ceremony.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stand for a photograph with guests (Jeff Spicer/PA)

Dr Morkel, from Zimbabwe, is a world-leading wildlife veterinarian who practices across the African continent.

He said he had been “incredibly impressed” with William’s “passion for conservation”.

Dr Morkel added: “We first met in Tanzania many years ago and from that moment I have always been incredibly impressed with his attitude and passion for conservation.

“Many people in Africa have the utmost respect for both William and his brother Harry for their continued efforts.

“Thank god there are people like them in the world who continue to shine a light on the issues of conservation and the environment around the world.

“Without them the vital work that is carried out by incredible people in Africa on the ground would not get the help or the respect it deserves.”

Dr Morkel has been instrumental in some of the most impactful conservation translocations in recent decades, including collaring forest elephant across the Congo Basin, assisting with the translocation of six black rhino from South Africa to Zakouma National Park in Chad, collaring and moving giant sable in Angola and assisting with the translocation of giraffe in Murchison National Park in Uganda.

Julius Obwona was presented the Tusk wildlife ranger award for his bravery and dedication to the fight against poaching in Uganda.

Before being presented with the award by the duke, wildlife ranger Mr Obwona said: “Prince William has shown he is a man of honour who is very dedicated to the world of conservation and for that we are very thankful.

For almost thirty years, @tusk_org has pioneered successful conservation action in Africa by protecting wildlife, empowering communities and advancing the frontline in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade.

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